REPORT – TAUNTON VALE (MONDAY 6TH APRIL)

A huge crowd enjoyed a great day out in the spring sunshine when they attended the Easter Monday Bank Holiday meeting run by the Taunton Vale. A treble for jockey Charlie Marshall who is currently riding out of his skin, two of which were for trainer Will Biddick, two maiden winners who relished the quicker ground and a canny ride from Lucy Mager in the first to upset the odds-on favourite, were the highlights for spectators who also enjoyed a family dog show which kicked off the proceedings.

Local girl Lucy Mager rides Cothelstone particularly well and now has 7 riding wins to her name around here. Undaunted by the fact there was an odds-on David Pipe trained favourite in the opening Members race or by the fact she was on the only horse who had yet to win a race, Lucy dictated matters on Weston Bay and following the departure of Baskerville, never allowed her remaining opponent, Ben Lilly to get a look in. Ten lengths separated them at the line much to the delight of Paul Brace who co-owns the gelding with Lucy. Paul explained afterwards, “Nothing has really gone right for him – we’ve been stuck in traffic, had to take him out as the ground went against us so he really deserves this.” Bought by Lucy as an unraced 3 year old, he should add to this tally now the ground has come in his favour.

Charlie Marshall was another to employ front running tactics on his winners, the first of which came on Far Out West in the Conditions race who took advantage of a big 12lb weight advantage to hold off crowd favourite, Ninth Wave. Will Biddick trains the mare for the Hot Toddie Partnership headed by a jubilant Andy Pollard. She won a Restricted here last season employing similar tactics and again jumped really well, despite Ninth Wave trying to mount a challenge, she was still half a length too good at the line. Will said, “She’s very game and loves this ground plus the big weight advantage has really helped her.” Andy explained, “We love Bratton Down which is the “home of racing” so we will aim for there but I’d like to think she’s up to a Hunter Chase too.”

Charlie and Will teamed up again in the next, the Mixed Open, and it was good to see the likeable Regatta de Blanc return to winning form. Sent off at the remarkably generous odds of 5-4, the mare outjumped her rivals to win by 4 lengths from Douglas Longbottom and they were well clear of the only other finisher, Ilmig. Two seasons ago, Regatta de Blanc had carried all before her winning three points including the Coronation Cup where she dead-heated with Larkhill legend, Grace a Vous Enki. She also won two hunter chases at Taunton and Cheltenham before it was decided to send her under Rules with Paul Nicholls. She may have found that life a little overwhelming and it was decided to send her back to former handler Will and after a run at Chaddesley Corbett and a Newbury hunter chase, she looks to have found the perfect confidence boost and will be one to keep on side of. Known at home as “Betty”, she was named by Will after he used to sing to her “Whoa, Black Betty” to her whilst breaking her in as a youngster. It is not known whether Will’s singing ability will be fast-tracking him to Britain’s Got Talent soon or whether Ram Jam will be asking for royalties!

Charlie’s last winner came for Harry Ryall whose River Don delivered on the earlier promise he had shown by taking the final Maiden. Another to benefit from the quicker ground and although Down the Inner and Valentin de Maine tried to mount a challenge around the last bend, River Don was 3 lengths to the good on the line. Charlie said afterwards, “He’s got a big stride and you just need to let him roll. For a big horse, he really enjoys this quicker ground and he’s jumped brilliantly.” Harry’s dad, Nick added, “I own him along with David Smeaton, Paul Bloor, Matt Lindsay and John Pettit and although not here, they’ll be delighted. We have always thought an awful lot of him but he hasn’t had his ground until now. He may stay pointing or could go under Rules as soon as Harry’s licence is through and we could have a bit of fun that way too.”

The Restricted race didn’t produce the result expected four out but it still went to a nice horse in Emberscombe much to the delight of owner Kieran Johns and jockey Aimee Jones. Left clear with two to jump, Aimee and Emberscombe coasted home to win by 25 lengths. Kieran was undecided about plans but wanted to run her at the Warwick Hunter Chase evening meeting in May following it’s transferral from Cheltenham. He originally bought the mare from friends with the idea to breed from her and is thinking of sending her to German Derby winner, Nutan who stands at Vauterhill Stud. “I love the stallion and have a few youngsters by him already. Along with 18 or 19 who run under all codes – as long as they win races, I’m happy! And all credit to Dani Kenealy and Joe Tickle who are doing an absolutely fantastic job with them at home.”

The earlier shorter Maiden race went to Kow Boy Sivola who defied his small stature to run out an easy 15 length winner under Amber Jackson-Fennell with Freddie Fleetfoot in second and Troubleisontheway a head back in third. A very confident trainer Ed Rees was beaming in the winner’s enclosure, “I just couldn’t see him getting beaten today as the drop back in trip plus quicker ground are what he needed. He’s such a bonny, genuine little horse and a proper pointer.” Ed trains the Noroit gelding for Margaret Robins and James Blakeney who have supported Ed from the start after meeting him at Harry Fry’s. The intention was to stay pointing with him and take him up through the grades.